Support apparatus

ABSTRACT

Apparatus ( 10 ) for supporting objects on a shelf, comprising an elongate assembly ( 12 ) and at least one divider ( 14 ) releasably mounted thereon. The elongate assembly ( 12 ) comprises a first part ( 16 ), a second part ( 18 ) and a spring bias ( 20 ) disposed therebetween. The first and second parts ( 16 ), ( 18 ) are movable relative to each other, with compression of spring bias ( 20 ) providing a force urging apart the parts ( 16 ),( 18 ) along the longitudinal axis AA. In this way, the assembly ( 12 ) may be braced between opposed side wall of a shelf in a book case or the like.

[0001] The present invention relates to apparatus for supporting objectson a shelf or the like.

[0002] Miscellaneous object such as books, CDs, videos, shopping packetsand boxes and even dishes are often stored on shelf-like structures. Theshelf-like structures may be incorporated in other structures such asbookcases or cupboards, or may be adaptations of other structures suchas windowsills, or may even be purpose built structures. For thepurposes of the present specification, the term “shelf” as used hereinis intended to embrace all such structures which define a horizontalsupport surface disposed between opposing end walls which preventobjects supported on the support surface from toppling off either end.Even with the end walls, there is still a tendency for the storedobjects to topple inwardly unless tightly packed together. To someextent, bookends provide some resistance to such toppling of storedobjects. However, not all bookends are able to prevent toppling in everyscenario envisaged.

[0003] The present applicant has sought to alleviate the problem ofobjects toppling over when stored on a shelf as hereinbefore defined.

[0004] In accordance with the present invention, there is providedapparatus for supporting objects loosely stored on a shelf hashereinbefore defined, comprising: an elongate assembly comprising afirst part and a second part, the second part being moveable relative tothe first part, and means for biasing one part away from the other partto provide a bracing action between opposed walls of the shelf; and atleast one divider for dividing shelf space, the or each divider beingreleasably mountable on the elongate assembly.

[0005] The present applicant has devised apparatus which can beretro-fitted to any of the shelves as hereinbefore defined. The elongateassembly is configured to be aligned lengthwise along the shelf and thenheld firmly in place by the bracing action created by the means urgingeach part against its respective end wall. Once secured in place, the oreach divider is mounted on the elongate assembly to create compartmentsalong the length of the shelf. Any forces exerted on the or each dividerfrom objects on the shelf are transmitted to the elongate assembly andhence to the shelf itself.

[0006] The elongate assembly may be configured to mount the or eachdivider at one of a plurality of discrete locations along its length.For example, the elongate assembly and the or each divider may beconfigured to engage with “peg and slot” couplings. Alternatively, theelongate member may define a track along which the or each divider maybe positioned and secured at any location desired.

[0007] In one embodiment, one part of the elongate assembly may itselfbe elongate and configured to be cut to length to suit intended use. Inthis way, the apparatus may be supplied in kit form to fit a widevariety of shelf lengths simply by cutting the elongate part to length.With this arrangement, the other part may be mounted on one end of theelongate part, with the urging means disposed therebetween.

[0008] The urging means may comprise a spring bias disposed between thefirst and second parts. With apparatus of appropriate length for theshelf, the spring bias may be compressed when positioning the elongateassembly on the shelf, and subsequently released to trigger the bracingaction. Other forms of urging means may be employed, including ascrew-threaded shaft rotatable in a corresponding mounting to producemovement along its axis.

[0009] The elongate assembly may further comprise a third part, thethird part being moveable relative to the first part, with means forbiasing apart the first and third parts to enhance the bracing actionbetween opposed walls of the shelf. The second and third parts may bedisposed at opposite ends of the first part, with the third part and/orassociated biasing means perhaps being equivalent in function to thoseof or associated with the second part.

[0010] The second part and/or any third part may have a protuberantmember defining a finger or hand hold to enable its respective part tobe gripped securely (e.g. when compressing a spring bias).

[0011] An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way ofexample and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0012]FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of components of apparatusembodying the present invention; and

[0013]FIG. 2 illustrates use of the apparatus of FIG. 1 in a shelf ashereinbefore defined.

[0014]FIG. 1 shows schematically apparatus (10) for supporting objects(not shown) on a shelf (100) (see FIG. 2). The apparatus (10) comprisean elongate assembly (12) and a divider (14) releasably mountable on theelongate assembly (12). The elongate assembly (12) comprises a firstpart (16), a second part (18) and a spring-bias (20) disposedtherebetween. The first and second parts (16,18) are moveable relativeto each other, with compression of spring bias (20) providing a forceurging the parts apart along the longitudinal axis AA.

[0015] The first part (16) is elongate and includes a plurality ofsquare shaped apertures (22) extending transversely to its longitudinalaxis AA. Each aperture (22) is configured to receive snugly a peg (24)extending from divider (14), and thus together the apertures provide aplurality of discrete locations for mounting the divider (14) along thelength of element (12). The first part (16) may be cut to length andnewly exposed end (26) may be covered by plate (28).

[0016] The second part (18) defines a recess (30) for receiving one endof the first part (16) (with or without cover plate 28). [In FIG. 1, thesecond part (18) is shown partially cut-away to reveal recess (30).]Spring bias (20) is mounted in the recess (30) (e.g. along axis AA) suchthat it is compressed as the first part (16) is pushed into, and slideswithin, the recess (30).

[0017] A third part (18 ¹) is provided for engaging the opposite end ofthe first part (16) to the second part (18). The second and third parts(18, 18 ¹) are mirror images of each other and function in equivalentways. Thus, the third part 18 ¹ includes a recess (30 ¹) for receivingits end of the first part (16), with a spring bias (20 ¹) mountedtherebetween.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 2, the elongate assembly (12) is positionedalong the length of the shelf (100). The shelf (100) includes opposedsidewalls (102), and the spring bias (20) urges the second and thirdparts (18, 18 ¹) towards their respective side walls (102), providing abracing action. With the elongate assembly (12) held firmly in place,one or more dividers (14) may be introduced as shown to provide lateralsupports for objects stored on the shelf.

1. Apparatus for supporting objects loosely stored on a shelf hashereinbefore defined, comprising: an elongate assembly comprising afirst part and a second part, the second part being moveable relative tothe first part, and means for biasing one part away from the other partto provide a bracing action between opposed walls of the shelf; and atleast one divider for dividing shelf space, the or each divider beingreleasably mountable on the elongate assembly.
 2. Apparatus according toclaim 1, in which the elongate assembly is configured to mount the oreach divider at one of a plurality of discrete locations along itslength.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which one part of theelongate assembly is itself elongate and configured to be cut to lengthto suit intended use.
 4. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which theurging means comprises a spring bias disposed between the first andsecond parts.